"Oh, no, no," said Eleanor, shrinking at the invitation. "Mary, don't let's go," she whispered; "I should die there in that big, stiff room."
"We'll sit just here," said Mary Taylor. "Come on, Nell," and down they both got on the top stair, huddling up together, while the storm raged outside in its fury.
"Oh, young ladies!" exclaimed Gibson, starting, "I'll get you some chairs if you want to sit in the hall."
"We like this," said Mary Taylor; "please, Gibson, don't feel troubled." So
Gibson went back to her mistress' room, and Mary put her arm around
Eleanor, and patted her hair as she cuddled up to her neck.
"Mary, I like you so much," sobbed Eleanor, in a muffled voice, "because you don't try to say something to comfort me."
Mary kept on patting the pretty hair, with anxious ears for the messenger to come from the Keep household. Presently out came Gibson again.
"I'm going out to bring in those boys," she said; "Mistress wants it."
"What boys?" asked Mary quickly.
"The whole of them," said Gibson; "they've been hanging around ever since
Master Larry was brought home, and——"
"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Eleanor faintly.